Meditation

Treatment: A discipline, rather than a therapy, which aims to give you total relaxation of body and mind. There are many schools of meditation, but one of the largest in Britain is Transcendental Meditation (TM). This instructs that you to sit still with your eyes closed, clear your mind completely and repeat a word or mantra. In Buddhist meditation, the principle is the same but you are taught to concentrate on positive feelings and breathing.

How often: Most meditation should be done daily. TM asks that people meditate for 20 minutes twice a day.

Best for: Claims to calm anxiety and alleviate stress-related symptoms such as insomnia, migraine and PMS. Advocates say meditation can lead to greater vitality, creativity and self-belief.

How much: Courses in TM can be expensive - about £500. Buddhist meditation is less so.

Availability: There are 50 TM centres around Britain, so there is a good chance there is one close to you. The School of Meditation in London offers introductory lessons.